[EAS] [BC] What's the point of LP-1s anymore?

[Clay Freinwald]

Dan- 

Washington State wrote their first EAS Plan over 20 years ago.   It was then
written into the Plan that no Broadcaster or Cable System were to originate
any message (other than an RWT)  and that all messages must come from those
government entities that had the information in the first place - Further,
those entities must have the equipment to originate the message.   The days
of EBS where some government employee called the local broadcast station
asking that information be passed-on were over.  

EAS, via Broadcast and Cable is just - one- of many public warning tools
available today.    SECC's and LECC's should be involved with all forms of
public warning systems, not just EAS.  Our success is due to wonderful
participation by a number of stakeholders.  

I've been very proud of the fact that this State is willing to think outside
the box for the good of their citizens.   Happy to share anything 

Clay Freinwald
WaState SECC Chair 

?

I don't think its a question of being "local reliable partners."  Here in
Michigan, from my vantage point, we're trying to let the local Emergency
Managers know that they need to be the ones originating messages.  That
said, and having been in radio since 1970, but I still believe broadcast
AM/FM/TV are their best mass-messaging option, but in today's world, with so
many media choices, it certainly is not the only one.

Our state Homeland Security division of the Michigan State Police is going
through each region of the state, fact-gathering with groups of EMs,
Broadcasters (primarily LPs) and other interested parties to understand what
is working, what isn't and what we should be doing looking forward.  Having
attended 5 of the last 6 meetings so far, I'm very encouraged by the
comments from all the stakeholders.

Once information is gathered....and will be by the end of November, a week
will be devoted to dissecting and making recommendations.  These will be a
40-hour week with the primary parties making their recommendations.  And
then we move forward.

Dan

Dan Kelley
Director of Technical Services/Digital Communications Manager Michigan
Association of Broadcasters
819 N. Washington Avenue
Lansing, MI 48906
(517) 484-7444
dkelley at michmab.com